Grant Overstake to Promote Teen Resilience and Racial Literacy at National Rural Library Conference

A teaching artist and workshop presenter, author Grant Overstake will read from his novels on resilience and racial literacy at the national Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference.

WICHITA, Kan. (GVP) — Kansas author Grant Overstake will shine a literary spotlight on his most resilient characters at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) National Conference. His readings at the Author Fest event here on Saturday afternoon will center on the gritty heroes in his novels, who go through the same type of difficulties facing today’s teens.

Grant Overstake will read from "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon" and "The Real Education of TJ Crowley."

Co-sponsored by Watermark Books & Cafe, the ARSL conference promotes the growth and development of libraries in rural and small communities nationwide, ensuring that they have the support and resources they need to thrive.

Overstake will be joining a group of esteemed authors at the reading, including Jenn Bailey, Megan Bannen, K.L. Barron, Traci Brimhall, and Catherine Browder.

In an era marked by soaring rates of teenage depression and persistent racial divisions that cut across urban and rural landscapes, Overstake's novels have been praised as powerful tools for fostering understanding and empathy. By highlighting the resilience of his characters, Overstake inspires readers to find hope and courage in the face of adversity.

In Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, the protagonist, Maggie Steele, embodies resilience as she copes with the loss of her brother and confronts the challenges of running her family farm alone. This heartfelt story is a powerful portrayal of a young girl finding her strength and navigating the ups and downs of life in rural America. Through Maggie's journey, readers are reminded of the power of determination and the ability to overcome adversity. In addition to the timeless story, this new edition includes an inspiring message by Olympic Pole Vault Champion Katerina Stefanidi, with group discussion questions by Dr. Melissa White, a Language Arts Teacher and Mental Performance Consultant with a Doctorate in Sport Psychology.

Based on actual events, "The Real Education of TJ Crowley" is a thought-provoking novel set in Wichita during the late Civil Rights era, delving into racism, relationships, and navigating a divided society. Through vivid descriptions and character development, the book captures the social and political dynamics of the time, highlighting the bravery and perseverance of those who fought for justice. TJ Crowley's transformative journey as he grapples with racial complexities and strives to make informed choices reminds us of the resilience needed to choose knowledge over ignorance and trust over fear. It challenges readers to examine their own biases, cultivate empathy, and engage in meaningful dialogues about race and acceptance.

The Author Fest event is for conference attendees only. But Overstake's novels are available for purchase at Watermark Books and other retailers nationwide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grant Overstake established his independent press, Grain Valley Publishing Company, in 2012.

Grant Overstake embarked on his journey in journalism at the age of 18 with The Wichita Eagle, his hometown paper. He graduated from the William Allen White School for Journalism at the University of Kansas.

Grant's career took him to various newspapers, including The Johnson Pioneer, a small weekly newspaper in western Kansas. His dream job came as a Sports Writer at The Miami Herald, a paper known for producing best-selling authors.

Motivated by his genuine desire to effect change, Grant assumed hands-on leadership roles with The Salvation Army in the inner city of Chicago, and with The United Methodist Church in rural Kansas.

He returned to journalism, as editor at The Hillsboro Star-Journal. His coverage of rural life earned awards from the Kansas Press Association and two Golden Wheat Awards from the Kansas Farm Bureau.

In 2012, Grant established Grain Valley Publishing, his own publishing company. His first novel, “Maggie Vaults Over the Moon” was a local best-seller and hailed by KIRKUS REVIEWS, which called the novel, “A fine YA novel about perseverance in sports and in life.”

His second celebrated novel "The Real Education of Crowley," was named Book of the Year by the Kansas Authors Club. Recently, "TJ Crowley" is being adapted into a major full-cast audio production, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Grant's passion for storytelling goes beyond his writing. He served as a guest speaker at the Kansas State University Young Writers’ Workshop. Additionally, Grant collaborated with Storytime Village and the Boys and Girls Clubs to share the transformative power of storytelling with Wichita's inner-city youth.